Hi ya'll!  My name is Laurie Haakenson.  It's pronounced hawk-in-son.  Took me a while to learn to spell it after we were married.  Norwegian.  Anyway, I come from a family of talented artists.  Mmm...maybe just on my mom's side.  Dad's side...not so much! 

 

Unfortunatly, I took after dad's side.  (Sorry dad).  Then, I discovered BEADS!  I LOVE BEADS!  So many color and texture combinations.  Semi-precious stones are my favorite.  It's the closest I can get to being a Geologist.  Rocks are so cool.  Continents ripping apart and crashing together.  Enourmous presure and heat creating such beautiful stones.  What could be better?

 

And then there is glass.  So many colors.  So many possibilities.  So little time.  Hot, molton glass. rolling around the mandrel, trying to have it's way with me.  Who will win?  Usually, the glass.  I've learned (the hard way) that the glass has a will of it's own.  I am mearly there to help it along.  I have the scars to prove it!  

 

I have been married (to the man who hung the moon) for 25 years.  Bless his heart for putting up with me all this time!  We have 3 beautiful kids.  The baby has graduated and in college.  The other 2 are already on their own.  I think I'll fill my empty nest with more beads!

 

In my "real" life, I am a full time nurse.  The "real" money comes in handy!  I work in an intensive care nursery.  Lots crying, stress and happiness all rolled into one.  Good days and bad days.  It's mostly a good job, but I'm glad I have the torch to relieve the stress! 

 

Happy beading.  Laurie